First lap and already dedicated to the max, with a heart rate of over 190 bpm.

It was scorching out on the track. My Polar (ooh, the irony!) HRM recorded ambientalair temperature of 37 degree C! For that reason, the race was shortened from sevenlaps to six. In such conditions, I couldn't really push big gears, so my speed was downa bit, compared to the training rides. Lucikly, the conditions were the same for everyone .

With a hairpin curve in each lap, which brings the average speed down by a considerableamount and breaks the pedaling rhythm, I completed the 19 km course in just over 27minutes, with an avg speed of around 42 km/h and max speed of 49 km/h, avg HR of193 bpm and max HR of 198 bpm.

That was enough for a Gold medal in Elite Category. Additionally, I was also the fastestcompetitor in general classification, therefore an absolute National Time Trial Champion!

So there you have it - three years full of various misfortune waiting for the opportunity,eight months of hard training and a dream come true!

In a time trial race, every second counts and can mean a difference between winning and loosing.

Of course, stiffness of the bike and aero position help, not to mention the feeling of completeness(being physically and mentally prepared and with a bike that lets you ride to the full potential),BUT if you ain't got it in your legs...

One thing is certain though - I can totally justify the cost of building the bike for this single event,that made me give my best and win the title and a dream!

As mentioned in my Kovjanic Custom story - following all my achievements in 2011,I was nominated for the best athlete of Republic of Srpska. Here's a photo fromthe video shoot, featuring my Scott Plasma:

21/Dec/2011 - I'm being awarded with a trophy for 7th place by Olympic goldmedalist from 1984 Olympics - Zlatan Arnautovic (volleyball goalkeeper).It was an honour and a moment of great joy.

The ceremony was aired live on national television, with me pointing myfinger at the trophy, hahah.

Before I post the 2012 National TT Championship report, there are a couple of updates first.

Following my successes in 2011, I created a couple of necklases, using redundant remainsof my KMC chain. The top one for everyday and the bottom one for special occasions .

For 2012, I finally got something that I wanted for a long time - a carbon disc wheel!It wasn't ZIPP as the stickers suggest though. No idea of the brand, but it had carbondiscs bonded over traditional rim with spokes, similar to HED discs.

Another thing I got (and I've had to get it because of the UCI rules) is a Bell Meteor IIaero/TT helmet. It's a proper crash helmet, unlike my aero fairing that I used until now.

Since I wasn't happy with the "ZIPP" disc wheel, I sold it and bought this new PRO (by Shimano)tubular disc wheel. 12K carbon, Dura Ace hub and about 1200g in weight. It's fitted with brandnew Vittoria Corsa Evo CX 23mm tubular tyre.

I've also had to get some carbon-specific cork brake pads and a "crack pipe" valve/pump adapter.

22/Aug/2012 - Bosnia & Herzegovina's National TT Championship at Zaluzani race track near Banja Luka.It was the hottest day of the year, with 38'C in the shade and 42'C out in the sun on the track!

Doing a warm-up on my new Elite SuperCrono turbo-trainer. The term "warm-up" shouldn't be takenlightly with the ambiental temperature this high!

Rolling to the start ramp, with my new disc wheel, new aero helmet and new team skinsuit .Beautiful 12K carbon sheen . Proudly wearing number 1 and starting from the last spot,as I was still the reigning national TT champion, though unsure if I will able to defendthe title, as I was not in the best shape this season.

Up on the ramp, during the starting procedure. Aaand... off we go!

I was feeling the side-effects of 42'C on the first lap already. Although I am generally usedto riding in high temperatures, I was really suffering that day.

There is a hair-pin turn in each lap obviously, which is a proper tempo breaker.

And finally, crossing the finish line, feeling completely spent and with a considerablyslower time than last year's. In the end, I didn't manage to defend my last year's title,but I got silver, which is still not too bad, considering I've had a knee injury that hadprevented my from doing any winter preparations and riding until early Spring.

I'd never really properly set up my riding position, so I decided I should finally do it in 2013!This primarily meant going lower and shorter on the front end, which is why I got this 80 mmRitchey Adjustable stem to replace the 100 mm Ritchey WCS stem I've originally had on the bike.

Likewise, it had taken me several years to figure out that the SLR T1 saddle doesn't suit my bum(just like the SLR road saddle), so I replaced it with a regular Fizik Arione K:ium, that I usedto ride on my old road racing bicycle.

And finally - I had shortened the tri-bar extensions by 25 mm and also adjusted the saddle backwards.The bike now fitted me spot on and it was well within UCI rules as well.

Unfortunately, this is the very last photo of a complete bike, as it abruptly ended its life by becominga parts donor for a new project .

Scott Plasma frameset fully stripped and looking as good as the day it had found its way out of the packaging.

While this frameset has found its new home in the UK, you can follow the sequel of the Plasmanck story here:

Who is online

You cannot post new topics in this forumYou cannot reply to topics in this forumYou cannot edit your posts in this forumYou cannot delete your posts in this forumYou cannot post attachments in this forum